The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-25
Simple and Complex Newport Toilettes
Letter TO the Boston Herald.

LSteJ 10 inc IOStOU HeFdhi.
Speaking of clothes in connection with
Newport brings up some strange facts to
ones mind, among them the truth that al
most anything can be worn here without
attracting attention. While there are, of
course, hundreds of women who spend for
tunes every year at the dreSsmakers' and
milliners' and are clothed like Solomon in
all his glory, without either toiling or spin
ming, there are plenty of others who wear
the simplest of gowns, the plainest of bon
nets and the least expensive of wraps.
Mrs. Cavendish delights in telling the story
of a friend of hers whom she had invited
year after year to pay her visit at New
port. Year after year the friend declined
and never with any good or valid reason,
and Mrs. Cavendish, wondering over the
why and wherefore, at last put the question
to her point blank
Margaret Coningsby," said she in a saucy
tone, at which it was impossible to take of
tense here I've asked you for four SIC
cessive summers to come to me for fort
night at Stonehenge, and for four successive
summers you've sent me polite note saying
that though your grief and disappointment
were great, you really couldn't come. Now
| want to know why you make point of
refusing me. I've heard you say many and
many time that Newport was the place of
all Others you longed to see and know and
yet when | give you the chance to see it
from the best possible standpoint, you scorn
it in way that fills me with establishment
Come, your reason, woman, your reason!"
and the charming Mrs. Cavendish looked
more charming than ever, as she tipped her
bonnet of mauve tulle on one side and re-
garded the friend with an air of anxious
inquiry.
Poor Miss Coningsby. driven to the wall
was a little confused. She hardly knew how
N a in &c firm oof
| have always wanted to see Newport
What woman HASN'T" she said hesitatingly
But you kn\v, dear Mrs. Cavendish, that
there is a disagreeable question of ways and
means which will come up and interfere
with the pleasantest prospects. l never have
any such clothes as one needs at Newport
One small trunk would hold all my ward
robe and | should only disgrace you by the
appearancaI should make in place where
people think so much of vanities and judge
their sisters by the qualities of the gowns
they wear. When my ship comes in, if you
will ask me again | may accept your invita-
ton, but at present it is out of the question. ~
This with profound sigh.
How Mrs. Cavendish laughed
''You silly thing she cried, ''if YOU had
only told me all this before could have set
your mind at rest and had you at Stone
henge three Augusts ago. Why, Newport
is the very place above all others where you
don't need any clothes. cambria morn
ing dress, a white dress of some sort for
afternoon driving and receptions, or for
luncheons, and one evening dress would tide
you very successfully over a fortnight's
visit. OF course, if you have a closet full
of founces and furbelows there will be none
too many and you will find it very easy to
work them all in, but | tell you truly when
l tell you that three such gowns as have
mentioned would be all-sufficent. They
may be as simple or elaborate as you like,
but they are enough. A pretty wrap, two
or three hats and a snowy sunshade are al
most indispensable, but we hostesses usually
keep drawer full of the latter from which
guests are at liberty to help themselves, and
a smart bow or a different feather after the
hat so that no one would recognize it for the
same you have already been seen in several
times. Now, let me hear no more about
clothes. You'll come to me ON the 18th for
two weeks, and own when you return that
Newport is the most independent watering
place you ever saw in that respect And a
word in your ear: the less there is to your
evening dress the betterl Two shoulder
straps and waistband will make you an
immense success"